“That’s right. And who holds them in place and tells each one where to be?”
“God, right?”
“Yes. Eddie, God made you, too, and holds you in His hand. Just like He does the stars. We can always trust His love.”
“I likes that.” He wrapped his arms around her neck. “God made you too?”
She nodded.
“Guess that’s how God takes care of me.”
Her throat swelled with a thousand emotions. Yes, she was one way God provided for Eddie’s care. She was all her son had left apart from God Himself. Resolve strengthened her limbs. To the best of her ability, she would protect this child and provide him with the home he needed.
Golden light flickered in the small window of the cabin where she’d left the ax, so she might have failed in protecting him.
And unless she could persuade Jace to take her to the ranch and assume his responsibilities, she might also fail at providing Eddie with a home. Though Jace seemed set on marrying her off to a lonesome miner. She huffed as if that was an answer. Maybe to his way of thinking but not to hers.
Behind the outhouse, bushes rustled, and branches snapped. Something snorted.
Why did she linger in the dark with wild animals surrounding her?
Grabbing Eddie’s hand, she raced for the door, threw it open, and crashed inside. Breathless, she slammed the slab of wood behind her.
Jace watched her, his eyebrows skidding toward his hairline. “Someone chasing you?”
“Something was in the trees. Something big that snorts and breaks branches.” She didn’t want Eddie to hear her fear, but she couldn’t keep it from her voice any more than she could release his hand.
“Probably a moose.” How did Jace sound so calm?
“Remind me not to go outside again until morning. When I can see.” Inch by inch, she uncoiled her fingers from Eddie and released him to go to the fire.
Neither Jace’s expression nor his stance changed. “Will you be any less frightened when you do? They’re massive animals.”
“Won’t it retreat once light comes? Out of sight.” She hung the jacket on a hook and picked up the blanket Eddie dropped to the floor.
“Why would it?”
“To be safe. Doesn’t all wildlife retreat in the daytime?” Having seen deer and coyotes on her journey, she knew it not to be true of all animals.
A grin lifted his lips. “Those critters are big enough to be safe day or night.”
Her swallow echoed in the stillness. The snap of a log startled her and drew her attention to Eddie. His head bobbed to his chest and back up. The boy was falling asleep.
“Come on, son.” She moved to the chair and pulled him to her lap, draping the blanket over him. “You go to sleep.”
“You’re welcome to use the bed.” Jace indicated the cot in the corner. “I won’t be needing it.”
“You’re going to stay awake all night?” Her voice rose tosharpness. Was he waiting for her defenses to be down to—? She left the thought unfinished.
“Wasn’t planning on it.”
She was not going to let his slow, lazy drawl relax her. “Then you take the bed.” If he slept, she’d feel safe. Safer still if he snored.
He snorted. “I’ve been raised better’n that.”
“Suit yourself.” She had no intention of using the bed though Eddie might sleep better if he could lie down. She put him on the mattress and tucked a blanket around him.
He hadn’t even woken. She left him and returned to the chair. She should probably let Jace have the only comfortable place to sit, but guessing he’d refuse, she settled back and spread another blanket over her. Not that she meant to be too cozy.
